Immigration backers determined to avoid the fate of gun legislation in Senate

Although rejection of a bipartisan gun control measure could be an ominous precursor to trouble for immigration reform, supporters insisted Thursday that their powerful coalition will help them avoid a similar fate.

Democrats and Republicans supporting an immigration reform bill said varied interests, including labor and business, and public pressure on both political parties would propel immigration reform legislation to passage.

“But on immigration, the opposite is proving true. I am convinced this issue will not fall victim to the usual partisan gridlock,’’ Schumer said.

Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona said the bill is supported by a growing number of GOP lawmakers following the last election where Latinos overwhelmingly supported Democratic candidates.

John McCain on a trip to Texas. (AP photo)

“Republicans have to compete,’’ McCain said, and passage of the bill would help the GOP reach out to Latinos “on a level where we can compete in the battle of ideas.’’

Schumer and McCain were part of the four Democrats and four Republicans known as the Gang of Eight who drafted the immigration reform bill introduced earlier this week.

They were joined Thursday by leaders from religious organizations, the AFL-CIO, business groups, Latino and immigration advocacy groups in a public ceremony on Capitol Hill to publicly roll out the legislation.

Earlier, two Republican lawmakers, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., and Sen. David Vitter, R-La., held a news conference to denounce the bipartisan bill as short on border security and an “amnesty’’ for undocumented immigrants.

Sessions was instrumental in defeating an immigration reform bill in the Senate in 2007.

They were flanked by law enforcement officers from several states who backed the call for more border security and strict enforcement measures.

The news conferences were held one day after a bipartisan proposal to expand background checks on gun sales was rejected by the Senate on a narrow 54-46 vote.

The National Rifle Association lobbied against the measure that was supported by President Barack Obama, who sought tighter gun controls after the massacre of elementary school children and staff in Newtown, Conn.

Several Democratic senators from conservative states joined Republicans in opposition that helped reject the bipartisan language on background checks.

Gun control and immigration reform are seen as two politically contentious measures facing steep hurdles in both the Senate and House.

And even before the collapse of the gun control legislation, the immigration bill unveiled earlier this week faced criticism from the political right and left.

Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, said there “is no question passing common-sense immigration reform is going to be tough in the Senate and even tougher in the House.’’

But Castro said the Senate bill is an agreement not about fitting any one political party, but doing what is right for the country. He said it is essential for the American people “to continue to keep Congress accountable on this issue.’’

The Senate bill calls for $6.5 billion in new spending and 3,500 new Customs and Border Protection agents to increase security along the 2,000-mile U.S.-Mexico border.

It also would create a 13-year path for citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants who pay up to $2,000 in fines, pass criminal background checks and learn English.

Agricultural workers and children brought into this country illegally by relatives, known as “DREAMers,’’ would be able to get citizenship within five years.

Anthony Romero of the American Civil Liberties Union said the bill unfairly excludes undocumented immigrants convicted of minor crimes, imposes fines on those can least afford them, and “needlessly expands wasteful border spending.’’

The Associated Builders and Contractors, meanwhile, said the number of visas for low-skilled workers, 20,000 in the first year, is too little to help the construction industry.

“The plan fails to provide a sufficient number of visas to meet market demand,’’ said Geoff Burr, the ABC vice president.

Despite the criticism and hurdles, 70 percent of Americans favor immigration reform, said Matt Barreto, a pollster and political scientist at the University of Washington.

Because of that public support, there is a political imperative for Democrats and Republicans to pass immigration reform, said Frank Sharry of America’s Voice Education Fund, an immigrant advocacy group.

“The political power behind immigration reform is what is driving it forward,’’ Sharry said.